Polyester staple fibre prices moved up in China this week and rolled over in India and Pakistan. In China, some producers hiked offers midweek on tight supply while central values marched higher boosted by firm crude oil and PTA costs. In Fujian, the market was on a firm note as makers pulled up offers. However, downstream spinning mills were leaving, or had left, for the holidays, thus demand failed to follow up. By the weekend, prices remained unchanged but were up week-on-week. In Pakistan, the polyester fibre market was quiet and producers maintained stable offers after the hike in the previous week. In India, producers’ offers are stable for the month at the moment.
In China, offers for 1.4D direct-melt PSF were raised US cents 1-2 this week to 8.80-8.95 Yuan a kg (US$1.30-1.32 a kg) in Jiangsu and Zhejiang while the same in Fujian and Shandong were up at US$1.30-1.32 a kg. Export offers were also up US cents 3 at around US$1.18 a kg FOB China. In Pakistan, 1.4D PSF producers’ offers were unchanged at PakRs.190-192 a kg (US$1.36-1.37 a kg, down US cent 1 due to weak currency). In India, PSF offers rolled over for January with 1.2D at INR83.25 a kg (US$1.17 a kg) and 1.4-2D at INR82.50 a kg or US$1.16 a kg.
Nylon
In China, nylon staple fibre 1.5D prices rolled over at 16.00-17.30 Yuan a kg (US$2.43-2.55 a kg).
Acrylic
Acrylic staple fibre markets were quiet in Asia and prices generally rolled since major producers in China were basically rolling over settlements, with some prices subject to slight adjustment. Upstream, acrylonitrile prices moved stable to higher as maintained stable offers, but overall sentiment was quiet. In China, the industry run rate remained at 75% during the week, as producers still maintained operation while downstream yarn mills basically closed for the holiday. Thus, demand shrunk to nearly negligible. In India, producers’ offers for January remained unchanged while prices in Pakistan rolled over. Overall, with firm upstream prices and downstream mills on vacation, acrylic fibre markets will be quiet and players will focus on post-holiday development.
Taiwan origin 3D bright ASF tow offers remained unchanged at US$2.00-2.10 a kg while medium-length and cotton-type acrylic fibre prices in China were steady at 15.55-16.40 Yuan a kg (US$2.29-2.41 a kg, down US cent 1 due to weak Yuan). In Pakistan, 1.2D ASF prices rolled over in Karachi market at PakRs.345 a kg (US$2.47 a kg, down US cent 1 due to weak currency). In India, producers’ offers for January did not change and were at INR158-169.50 a kg (US$2.22-2.38 a kg).
Viscose
Viscose staple fibre market in China saw growing holiday mood, with fewer firm trades were heard concluded. Spot prices average slightly higher while offers for medium-end and high-end goods moderated a bit on the week. As the market atmosphere was relatively calm, pre-holiday replenishment was mostly done. Nevertheless, the market was awaiting some bullish news such as maintenance plan to emerge, which my stabilise prices in the short run. Focus will be on the progress of some new units and their performance post Lunar New Year holidays. In India, producers’ offers remained unchanged while the same in Pakistan rolled over on the week.
In China, spot offers inched up this week with 1.5D VSF at 13.35 Yuan a kg (US$1.96 a kg) and 1.2D to 13.65 Yuan a kg (US$2.00 a kg), no change due to weak Yuan. Offers for medium-end goods were down at 13.20-13.40 Yuan a kg (US$1.94-1.97 a kg, down US cents 4), while high-end goods fell to 13.60-13.80 Yuan a kg (US$2.00-2.03 a kg, down US cents 2). In Pakistan, offers for 1.5D VSF were steady at PakRs270-273 a kg (US$1.93-1.95 a kg, down US cent 1 due to weak currency) in Karachi. In India, prices rolled over with 1.2-2.0D VSF prices at INR147-197 a kg (US$2.07-2.77 a kg).
